Club Races
Elliott by a Whisker
Fyans Creek Road - Sunday 17th February 2008

Daryl Elliott came from behind to clinch the narrowest of victories right on the line, to take out the Grampians Vets 45km Fyans Creek Handicap.

A good field of 21 riders front in the hot but calm conditions.

	Daryl Elliott

Elliott set off with fellow second scratchmen Michael Kelly, Peter Parnaby, Steve Monks, and Richard Clarke from the 2 minute mark. After working well for the first two thirds of the race, Clarke’s head cold caught up with him over the Sandbar Road hills, and he lost contact. However the others kept up a sizzling pace, making it impossible for lone scratchman Ian Blackie to make up any ground.

Like an army of ants picking up recruitments along the way the second scratchmen caught 3.5 minute riders Alan Barnett, Dean Hayward and Harvey Lang (having lost Drew Heard with mechanical problems) at the top of the first of the Sandbar Road hills.

Next, they collected 5 minute riders Gerard O'Brien, Stuart King and Leon Gibson just before McCracken's Hill. Limit rider Eddie McAdie had a good steady ride but was overtaken around the halfway mark.

Next to be picked up were 7 minute riders Tom Eldridge, Tania Walter, Michael Jensen and Peter Mayo a little before Mount Dryden, 10km from home. Surging on this large group of 15 riders charged after the 12.5 minute riders Merv Thompson, Frank Stokes and Shauna Heard, swallowing them up at the channel 1km from the finish line. Shauna saw them coming, and made a valliant charge for the line, but was no match for the big pack that surged past at 41kph.

Charging down the final straight, the finish was a hair raising affair with 18 riders involved. Peter Mayo was first to make a dash for the line, but faded and Harvey Lang took up the running, with Mike Kelly, Leon Gibson, Alan Barnett and Daryl Elliott all making a bid.

Click to enlarge

Mike Kelly, Harvey Lang, Daryl Elliott and Leon Gibson

With the line rapidly approaching, Lang and Kelly were neck and neck, but Elliott made a late charge through a small gap on the left hand side of the road, and with a final thrust at the line put his wheel just in front, to take victory, with Kelly a close second followed by Lang and Gibson.

Many thanks to Gayle Barnett for time keeping and Nan McAdie for the refreshing water melon afterwards.